Upgraded Volkswagen ID.3 teased amid huge global demand

Volkswagen has teased a facelifted version of its 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback and confirmed wait times for new orders will take close to 12 months to fill in Germany.

The German car-maker released a series of detailed digital sketches over the weekend showcasing the updated ID.3’s sharpened and more chiselled exterior design, along with a more elegant but ultimately more practical interior.

Executives say the cabin changes – comprising a bigger infotainment screen, centre console cup-holders and a removable luggage compartment floor – are the direct result of customer feedback.

“The new ID.3 demonstrates our commitment to quality, design and sustainability. The design has matured, and we’ve upgraded the materials used in the interior,” said Volkswagen board member for sales, marketing and aftersales Imelda Labbé.

“The needs of our customers are always front and centre for us. That’s why we listen carefully and focus on gearing our product portfolio to their requirements.”

The enhanced cosmetics and more modern cabin will be joined by overhauled software for just about every element of the vehicle’s operation, including the powertrain, driver aids, connectivity and charging.

Plug and Charge electric vehicle route planning, travel assist with swarm data and the park assist plus with memory function are all examples of the new functionality set to feature next year, following the 2023 ID.3’s global reveal between March and May.

Include in the updated range will be the more athletic Volkswagen ID.3 GT-X, the electric sister car to the Volkswagen Golf GTI or possibly even the Golf R judging by the already confirmed all-wheel drive (dual-motor) powertrain.

Orders for the new ID.3 opened at the start of this month in Germany but interested customers are being told not to expect their vehicles until the fourth quarter of next year due to the current backlog of orders and ongoing semi-conductor shortage.

Customers with previous orders for the outgoing version will predictably receive the new model, however, it isn’t clear whether those orders will be price-protected.

The Volkswagen ID.3 has been produced in the Zwickau and Dresden plants since its inception in 2019, but 2023 will see production of VW’s smallest ID model expanded to the Wolfsburg facility in order to reduce the prolonged delivery times.

Australian consumers have been told to expect the (facelifted) ID.3 in local showrooms as of early 2024, possibly priced from under $50,000.

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